McBride Named OGT Board Chairman

McBride will serve a one-year term as chair of the state’s wildlife crime-stopper program, succeeding Ray Bailey, who will remain on the OGT board of directors.

Begun in 1981 as a result of laws passed by the 67th Legislature to help curtail poaching, the program offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for a wildlife crime. OGT is a function of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Law Enforcement division and has been responsible for the payment of over $200,000 in rewards and the assessment of well over $1 million in assessed fines.

Privately funded, the program is dependent on financial support from the public through the purchase of OGT merchandise and memberships, donations, sponsorships, and gifts. The program also hosts annual fundraising events, including the Claystoppers Shootout near Austin April 25 and the Bandana Ball in Houston May 31.

For more information about these events, e-mail gnevents@austin.rr.com.

Through his career as a firearms dealer, McBride has built a network of support for Texas Game Wardens and OGT. He has been recognized by numerous groups, including conservation organizations, law enforcement, and the firearms industry for his achievements.